| Speaking in general terms, if you play a sport, you | | | | Allowing more growing room than ½ size can |
| are inclined to seek a competitive advantage. The | | | | lead to blisters, premature breakdown of the skate |
| desire to win, compete, excel, challenge, and improve | | | | and reduced performance of the skate for the |
| are just a few of the underlying reasons that a sport | | | | skater. Widths in skates are not the same as in a |
| is played. Golf is a great example of a sport that | | | | shoe...for example A "EE" width in a shoe is similar to |
| sparks the desire to seek a competitive advantage. | | | | a "D" width |
| Purchasing a bigger driver, a nicer putter, a set of | | | | Don't just focus on one make and model! |
| custom built irons...the list seems endless. The reality | | | | Different models of skates are built to accommodate |
| is that all of these things can, and often do, in fact | | | | different levels of skater ability and physical size, |
| improve your golf game. If you have ever played | | | | different shapes of feet, and different price points. |
| golf with a set of clubs that are too | | | | These are key points when considering what skates |
| short...long...wrong flex... etc. then you have likely | | | | to buy. It is important to be honest about the level |
| experienced the frustrating difference it makes to | | | | of skating that you or your skater is at. A skate that |
| your score when you compare it to the positive | | | | is too stiff is the one of the biggest contributors to |
| results of using a set of clubs that are the correct fit | | | | poor skating performance. |
| and style for you! | | | | Skate manufacturers skates all fit differently. |
| Not unlike golf, the world of skating is the same. | | | | It's possible that although you think you would like to |
| Skaters are always looking for a competitive | | | | try Bauer skates, the skate may not work the best |
| advantage, so... with another summer of hockey | | | | for you because the "last" (shape of the boot) is not |
| schools well underway, and hockey tryouts just | | | | appropriate for the shape of your foot. It is |
| around the corner, we wanted to give you some | | | | important to try on more than one manufacturer |
| insights into a fundamental way of helping you to | | | | skate if you are uncertain. Comparison and a great |
| help gain a competitive advantage with your skating... | | | | skate technician is ultimately the best way to help |
| all it takes is a little knowledge... | | | | make the correct decision for you. |
| A common question that we get asked by parents | | | | Skates are meant to fit when they are laced up! |
| of young skaters and, by skaters in general is.... "how | | | | The number one reason skaters end up in skates |
| are my skates supposed to fit?". This question is | | | | that are too big is that they don't lace the skate all |
| generally preceded with such comments and | | | | the way up. Because of the shape of a skate, the |
| questions as "I hate my skates", "why do my feet | | | | foot will only sit back in the boot properly when the |
| always hurt when I skate?", "I'm just not as fast | | | | skate is laced to the top of the boot. If you look at |
| with these skates",or how much growing room is | | | | the profile of a skate boot, it is easy to see the |
| enough?... | | | | "sweep" up to the top. As the skate is laced up it |
| Even though skate design and technology have | | | | draws the foot back into the heel. A new pair of |
| changed dramatically over the past few years, the | | | | skates that fit will almost alway feel short when they |
| fundamentals of how a skate needs to fit to be | | | | are first put on the foot prior to lacing. |
| comfortable and perform have not. | | | | Did you know that...for a non growing foot. When |
| Basically, there are three issues to consider when | | | | standing with your skates laced up the longest toe |
| purchasing skates. First and foremost, is the obvious | | | | of your foot should slightly feather the end of the |
| issue of purchasing a pair of skates that are | | | | boot. When you bend your knees...as you would |
| comfortable. Second to comfort, is that your skates | | | | when you skate... the toe should pull away from the |
| must fit correctly to perform ...the correct size | | | | front of the boot. Any pressure points that you have |
| (length), and width. (Not unlike the 'right' golf club) | | | | on the sides of the foot or ankle bones should be |
| The third consideration to the fit of the skates, but | | | | adjusted (made comfortable) by the person fitting |
| as important, is choosing the correct make and model | | | | your skates. |
| of product. Far too often skaters focus on buying | | | | How much Growing Room is enough? |
| the same skates that they have seen their skating | | | | A ½ size growing room represents about |
| idol wearing or they look only to the most expensive | | | | ¼ of an inch. Allowing more growing room than |
| skates, because obviously (to them) they are the | | | | a ½ size puts the skater at risk of things such |
| best. | | | | as blisters on the heel and arches. As well, the |
| Clearly, what we know is... it doesn't matter how | | | | performance of the skate diminishes dramatically |
| much you pay for your skates or what famous | | | | because of foot movement in the skate combined |
| skater is wearing the product, if the skates you | | | | with a blade that is too long for the boot and hence |
| purchase don't fit properly your skating performace | | | | too long for the skaters foot. |
| can be adversly affected.Read on for some insights | | | | Make sure the foot is measured correctly! |
| in how to gain the competitive advantage by being | | | | Although it may give you a place to start... fingers... |
| certain your skates fit. | | | | pencils... or looking down the back of the boot is just |
| The fundamentals of how skates should fit | | | | a big skate mistake waiting to happen. If the store |
| A skate does not fit the same as a shoe. | | | | fitting your skates understands the products they |
| A hockey skate...in all cases will fit 1 to 1 ½ | | | | are selling and how to fit skates then they will know |
| sizes smaller than your shoe | | | | how to accurately use a measuring stick. To avoid |
| ½ size growing room is all that is necassary and | | | | the inevitable blisters, sore feet, and poor skating |
| will generally get a growing foot through one full | | | | performance, that occur with poor fitting skates, be |
| season of hockey | | | | certain that a measureing stick is used. |